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Chapter 85

 

“Father, Glorify Thy Name”

 

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.” (John 12:27-30)

 

This chapter opens with John’s description of a good work done for the Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:1-7). In fact, this is the only work our Savior ever commended as a good work (Matthew 26:10; Mark 14:6). It was a work motivated by love, inspired by faith, a work requiring great sacrifice, and a work done just for the Lord Jesus.

 

            The next day our Savior made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, “sitting on an ass’s colt.” Mary had anointed him for his burial in anticipation of his death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation as King of kings and Lord of lords. Now, the very next day, the Lord God compelled the very people who would soon cry, “Crucify him,” to spread palm branches before him and cry, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (v. 13). Then…

 

“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:20-26)

 

Soul Trouble

 

Now, hear the Son of God, as he speaks of his heavy, heavy soul trouble, as he anticipates being made sin for us, bearing the furious wrath of an angry God in our place and dying in our stead upon the cursed tree.

 

“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard [it], said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.” (John 12:27-30)

 

            “Father, glorify thy name.” — I cannot think of a prayer more suitable for the children of God in all seasons than that which our Savior here prayed. May God the Holy Ghost make it the cry of my heart and of yours for Christ’s sake. — “Father, glorify thy name.”

 

Context

 

Before I try to explain the meaning of this prayer, which was first spoken and offered to the Father by our Savior, we should look at the things which preceded and led up to it. Our Lord Jesus had performed a very remarkable miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead. The fame of that miracle spread like wildfire. Multitudes flocked to see this man, this prophet who, claiming to be the Son of God, both healed the sick and raised the dead to life by the mere word of his power. Enthusiastic crowds gathered in such huge numbers that the Pharisees exclaimed to one another, “The world hath gone after him.”

 

            Following this and the other miracles performed by our Lord, the people wanted to make him king in Israel. As he rode into Jerusalem, a great multitude met him waving palm branches, and crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!” But our Savior passed through the streets of the ancient city in humility, riding an ass’s colt, just as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied he would. This public manifestation, the well-known miracles, the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, and the general talk of the people stirred the interests of many. Many strangers began to ask questions about this man who was called the Christ.”

 

            Certain Greeks asked Philip to introduce them to the Master, saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus” (v. 21). Obviously, these men did not simply desire to see the Savior physically. They could do that without Philip’s assistance. These Greeks wanted to know the Christ of whom they had heard so much.

 

            The sight of these Greeks must have brought joy to the Savior’s heart. Here were men coming out of great darkness to him who is the Light of the world. These were Gentiles seeking their Savior. No doubt, he saw in these men a reminder of that which he had come to accomplish: the salvation of his elect out of the nations of the world. He must have looked upon these strangers with delight, regarding them as representatives of the countless multitudes who would come to him from the ends of the earth and the islands of the seas to behold the glory of God in his face. How his heart must have laughed with joy! This was the joy set before him, for which he was about to endure the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2).

 

            Then, as he began to address the crowds before him, a solemn thought seems to have seized his holy mind. He seems to have thought to himself —— “Multitudes are to be gathered unto me. Both Jew and Gentile shall be saved by me. But they cannot be born into my kingdom without my soul’s travail. They cannot be saved except I satisfy the justice of God for them. These people cannot live except I die and redeem them with my life’s precious blood.”

 

            It appears that this fact came vividly before the Savior’s heart and mind. It seems to have rushed upon his holy soul like a raging storm. He saw that he could not become the seed of a great harvest until he first fell into the ground and died. That is what he says in verse twenty-four. He was and is that one grain of wheat upon whom all depended. He must be slain and buried in the earth, or else he must abide alone and have no fruit. Apart from his death as our Substitute there is no way for the holy Lord God to save fallen, guilty sinners. Justice must be satisfied, or sinners could never be saved.

 

            Our Savior saw the vicarious sufferings he must endure as the sinner’s Substitute, how that he must be made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him; and his soul was exceedingly troubled. He said in verse twenty-seven, “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”

 

            Yet, we must never imagine that our Savior feared and dreaded death. Obviously, the Son of God did not fear death. His courage and strength of mind were infinitely superior to that possessed by any of his servants, many of whom have welcomed death. We have read of many of the martyrs who endured death in the most terrifying forms imaginable without fear, even expressing delight and glorifying God in their mortal agony. I have seen many of God’s saints leave this world, welcoming death as a blessed thing. Our Lord was not less courageous or weaker than they.

 

            He did not fear death; but his was to be a very peculiar death. Death is the penalty for sin; but he knew no sin. Death is the curse of God’s broken law; but he never broke the law. Death is the out-pouring of divine wrath upon fallen man; but he is the delight of his Father’s heart. Death had no claim upon him. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

 

            The Son of God died as the Sin-bearer. His death was the vindication of God’s holiness and the satisfaction of his justice. Our Lord Jesus Christ died voluntarily as our Sacrifice and sin-atoning Substitute. He died in the place of sinners, being made sin, being made the object of his Father’s holy wrath and furious justice.

 

            This is altogether different from the death that we must die as pardoned, justified believers. We shall have the privilege of passing out of this world resting upon the atonement of Christ, sustained with the confidence that we are reconciled to God by the blood of the cross. Our Lord Jesus died bearing the enormous load of our guilt! The dark hue of human corruption, sin, and guilt must soon blacken his holy soul! He must be made sin for us! His sinless, sensitive, holy soul must be made guilty before his Father!

 

            When we die, our death is precious in the eyes of the Lord. When Christ died, his death was peculiarly and distinctly cursed by God (Galatians 3:13). He died the cursed death of the cross that all the blessings of God’s free grace might flow down to his redeemed people through the merits of his blood.

 

            Not one of us can perceive the agony our Redeemer endured for us when he died in our place at Calvary. Yet, he saw it all clearly, even before it took place. He knew exactly what lay before him, what he must do, and what he must suffer, in order to “see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.”

 

Inward Struggle

 

When he began to anticipate the horror of bearing our sins in his own body on the tree, there was a struggle in his soul. That struggle was witnessed by the crowds gathered before him, and is here recorded by John for our learning.

 

            The Greeks wanted to see the Lord Jesus; and see him they did. They saw him as no one had ever seen him. They saw him and heard him “in the days of his flesh” offering “up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death.” Yes, as the Spirit of God tells us in Hebrews 5:7, they saw the Lord Jesus Christ in fear. They must have been astonished by what they saw. They expected to see a King; and they did behold his royal soul; but they saw him in a depth of grief that no words can describe. They wanted to see the greatness of his spirit and the power of his mind. They did see it; but it was a greatness of spirit and a power of mind that filled the incarnate God with agony!

 

Gethsemane

 

On this public occasion, our Savior seems to have rehearsed that which later took place in Gethsemane. His soul was troubled. His heart was heavy. His spirit was in agony. In his inmost being, the Son of Man was going through a time of deep, deep distress and great trouble. Our text is the culminating point of his trouble, the climax of his anguish, and the conquest of his soul over his distress. — “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”

 

            When he had spoken those words, reminding himself of his purpose in life to accomplish the will of God, he seems to have shaken himself free of fear. He emerged victorious, with his face set like a flint, he was determined to go forward to the bitter, but glorious end. This was his prayer, his motive, his rule of life, and the desire of his heart and soul in all things and at all times. — “Father, glorify thy name.”

 

            Using our Savior’s own words and example, let us understand that as the glory of God is the ultimate end of all things, it ought to be the constant motive and ambition and desire of our hearts in all things. Our Lord Jesus Christ sought the glory of God above all else. May he give us grace to walk in his steps. This was his prayer when his soul was troubled. This is my prayer. It is the daily cry of my heart to my God. I trust it is yours as well. — “Father, glorify thy name.”

 

A Prayer of Faith

 

Here is a prayer of faith. — “Father, glorify thy name.” — Our Lord Jesus Christ, above all others, lived in this world by faith, believing God. His faith in God was exemplified in his perfect faithfulness to God in all things as a man. Both his faith and his faithfulness are displayed in this prayer.

 

            This is a prayer that arose from our Savior’s great trouble of soul as a man. I am always fearful when I try to speak about the inner conflicts of our Redeemer’s holy soul. Jealousy for his honor makes me reluctant to speak of such things. Yet, this event and this prayer are recorded here by Divine Inspiration for our learning.

 

            Our Savior’s great soul was full of trouble. His heart was heavy. Here is God the Son, the Savior of the world, bowed down with woe. His mind, his soul, his heart in conflict vexed him. He who could heal diseases with the touch of his hand, cast out demons with a word, calm the raging sea and tempestuous winds, and call the dead back to life again is in agony! How can such a thing as this be explained?

 

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger…The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.” (Lamentations 1:12, 14)

 

            He knew what lay before him in Gethsemane. He knew what Judas was about to do. He knew how Peter would deny him. He knew how his disciples would all forsake him. He knew that he must soon be made sin for us. The weight of our sins began to press upon his soul. Our Redeemer knew full well what he must suffer for his elect. He knew that all the sins of all his people must be transferred to him and made his. He knew that all the fury of God’s justice and wrath must be completely poured out and fully exhausted upon him. He knew that he must be abandoned by his Father at the very apex of his obedience, when he would be made sin for us.

 

            I find here both a deep mystery and a comforting truth. Though our Savior suffered trouble and fear, he knew no sin. There was trouble in his soul, but no doubt in his heart, fear, but no fretting or cowardice, distress, but no despair, sorrow, but no unbelief.

 

            Our Savior entered into our manhood fully. He experienced everything we experience, every trial, every temptation, and every heartache. Though he knew no sin and did no sin, though he was altogether without sin, he was now about to be made sin for us. If he would be our merciful and faithful High Priest, if he would be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, if he would be able to succor them that are tempted, he must be made sin for us (Hebrew 2:9-10, 17-18). Blessed be his name, our all-glorious Christ is a merciful and faithful, sympathizing High Priest, in all things touched with the feeling of our infirmities!

 

            Our Redeemer overcame his great trouble of soul with the determination of his committed, consecrated heart. — “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” The time of his suffering and sorrow had been appointed for him; and he knew it. The hour is come.” He had come to Jerusalem specifically because his hour had come. The hour appointed to him by the Father’s decree, the hour agreed to in the covenant of grace (John 10:16-18), the hour for which he came into the world (Hebrews 10:5-10) had arrived. Our Lord Jesus Christ was determined to suffer all the wrath of God for us at the appointed hour (Isaiah 50:5-7).

 

            In Matthew 27:34 we read “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.” This mixture may have been given by his tormentors to intoxicate and stupefy him, to prolong his sufferings, and to aggravate his agony. John Gill tells us that “This potion of vinegar with gall, was an aggravating circumstance in our Lord’s sufferings, being given to him when he had a violent thirst upon him; and was an emblem of the bitter cup of God’s wrath, he had already tasted of in the garden, and was about to drink up.”

 

            Be sure you understand how Christ died. He did not die as a helpless victim of circumstances beyond his control, but as a voluntary, vicarious, victorious Redeemer and Substitute (John 10:16-18). The cause of our Lord’s holy determination is evident. Why was he resolved to die? Was it to save men? Indeed, it was. Yet, that was not the chief reason. His prayer here is not, “Father, save thy people,” but “Father, glorify thy name.” This is what I want us to see: The primary object of our Savior’s life, that which inspired, motivated, and invigorated his holy soul, was and is the glory of the Father. He came into the world for the glory of his Father. He lived here for the glory of his Father. He died at Calvary for the glory of his Father. He reigns upon his throne for the glory of his Father. He saves sinners for the glory of his Father.

 

A Promise from God

 

Here is a promise from God. — “Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” — The grand result of our Savior’s life, death, resurrection, and exaltation is the glory of God. Here the Father speaks from heaven both of the past and the future.

 

            Three times, during the days of our Lord’s earthly life and ministry, we hear the Father speak from heaven. All three times, the issue at hand was the death of Christ his Son as our Substitute: at his baptism (Matthew 3), at his transfiguration (Matthew 17), and here in John 12. In all that past, our heavenly Father declares that he has glorified himself. Without a doubt, the primary thing declared here is that the Father was glorified in all things done by the Son. The glory of the Father is always in the Son; and the glory of the Son is always in the Father (John 13:31-32). Therefore, we are assured by Christ himself that all who honor the Son honor the Father also (John 5:20-24). God’s primary purpose in all things is his own glory (Psalms 106:8; Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11).

 

            God glorified himself in the covenant of grace. God glorified himself in the creation of the world. He glorified himself in all the laws and ceremonies and events of Old Testament history. He glorified himself in the incarnation and birth of his Son. God glorified himself in the life of his Son upon the earth. Christ is the Revelation of the Triune God. Christ is the Embodiment of the Triune God. Christ is the Fulness of the Triune God. Christ is the Glory of God. Jesus Christ, the Man, is himself God!

 

            Yet, here, the Father also speaks to the Son a word of promise, saying, “I will glorify my name again.” — This promise filled our Savior with joy and courage. Let it do the same for you. Is your soul downcast? Are you concerned about the future? Hear the promise of God and take comfort. —I will glorify it again.”

 

            God’s name was glorified in and by the death of his Son as our Substitute. When we read the context carefully, we cannot fail to see that the glory of God is vitally connected with the cross of Christ. Sin was judged at Calvary. Satan was bound at Calvary. God’s elect were redeemed at Calvary. The crucified Christ draws sinners to himself. All the attributes of God meet together and are honored in the cross (Psalms 85:9-13).

 

“The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” (John 12:29-33)

 

            God’s name was glorified by our Savior’s resurrection and ascension (Psalms 68:18-20). God’s name is glorified in Christ by the preaching of the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). God’s name is glorified in the salvation of sinners by Christ (Ephesians 2:7-9). And, blessed be his name, there is a day coming when God almighty will glorify his name in and by all things. Christ will come again with the glory of the Father. All men will bow to and confess Christ as Lord to the glory of God (Philippians 2:8-11). The earth shall be filled with the glory of God, when Christ makes all things new. The wicked will be judged and forever damned for the glory of God. The righteous will be saved, forever saved, for the glory of God. And all things will be reconciled to God by our great Savior “to the praise of the glory of his grace!”

 

            If I am in Christ, if you are in him, we may take this word in the most personal way possible, applying it to ourselves in every detail of our lives. In all that is past, God has glorified himself. In all that shall come, our God will glorify himself.

 

A Principle of Grace

 

Here is a principle of grace. This is the principle by which our Savior lived in this world. It is the principle by which we should always strive to live. — Father, glorify thy name.Let this ever be the prayer, desire, ambition, and governing principle of our lives in this world. — Father, glorify thy name” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Seek his will. Surrender to his will. Trust his will. Delight in his will.

 

 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

            Then, let us live in the expectation of his promise being fulfilled. — I will glorify it again.” This is our confidence, our hope, and our ultimate satisfaction. — I will glorify it again.

 

            Would you glorify God? Are you interested in the glory of God? Let me give you four simple words of direction. Do these four things, and you will glorify the name of God.

1.    Trust Christ.

1.    Follow Christ.

2.    Live for the Honor of Christ.

3.    Serve Christ.

 

            With the dawn of every day, as we anticipate that which lies before us in the providence of God, may God the Holy Spirit make this our souls’ ambition, desire, and prayer. — “Father, glorify thy name.”

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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